Lennon Clark is making the most of his first spell in senior professional rugby league. The Hull FC youngster is currently on loan with League 1 outfit Workington Town—scoring his first senior tries for the Cumbrian outfit earlier this month.
They were big ones too, and while the boyhood Black and White has probably grown up envisioning derby winners and the like against Hull KR, it was another derby where he stood up tall: the West Cumbrian derby, with Clark touching down twice against Whitehaven in a 22-8 victory.
That was Clark’s fourth game for the third-tier side, with the 19-year-old making his mark at the club. But for the back-rower, who has risen through Hull’s scholarship and academy ranks into the first team and who still has another year to run on his deal, there’s a desire to make it long-term at the club he’s supported all of his life.
“That’s the dream—to play first team for Hull FC,” Clark said. “That’s my long-term goal, but I’m really enjoying myself at Workington at the moment. It’s been a great experience for me, and coming out of the academy last year, it’s exactly what I need to play against men.
“It’s so much more physical, especially defensively, and it’s hard at times, but I feel like I’m improving, and that’s what matters. It’s been good to play regularly and get a run of games together.
“That’s the frustrating thing about reserves—it’s every other week, so it’s hard to build up a good run of games, but this is exactly what I need. I’m enjoying my time here, and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
And on those two tries, Clark continued: “It’s always nice to score, and it being a big game made it all the more special. I’m just trying to do my job and work hard.”
Amid his loan spell, with Clark enjoying his time in Cumbria alongside a Hull teammate in Zach Jebson, there’s a burning desire to make it at his hometown club. There’s inspiration from the opportunities handed out to fellow young players, but the forward knows he has to keep kicking on and looking to get better.
“It’s been good,” Clark said of the step up to the first team this year. “I trained all the way through pre-season. It was hard and it was tough, but it was good. It’s just the physicality. Everything has gone up a level from what I’m used to, but I enjoyed it.
“For me, it’s defence, tackling men and competing against men, but there are plenty of players to learn from here, like Jed Cartwright. He’s so physical, and he’s come back strong in recent weeks.
“I’ve just got to keep working hard, take my chances, and hopefully a first-team opportunity will come.”